Everything You Need To Know About Your Summer Portrait Session
So, you’ve booked your summer session and now what? Believe it or not, there’s plenty of small steps to take to ensure your session is comfortable and flawless!
First and probably the most important, prep yourself a few days before by hydrating well, getting lots of good sleep, and eating healthy. These simple things can make such a difference in the way you look and feel for your photos.
Another good way to prepare is to step up your grooming game.
- Hair - Products can be essential for controlling frizz and let’s be honest… summer in the Midwest can be so humid that even if this is not normally a problem for you, it will be for your photos. I personally like to use Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, but there are plenty of other hair products out there. Talk to your hair stylist for specific recommendations for your type of hair!
- Nails – it’s not just important for the girls, it’s equally important for the guys! Having trimmed and clean nails doesn’t have to be costly either. So if you are low on funds or in a rush, take a few simple steps to complete a manicure at home. Using a nail brush and soap with warm water is more than adequate to get the job done! Ladies, if you are wanting colors but can’t get into the salon, a good temporary fix is to use press on nails, such as Kiss, Glamnetic, and Glamermaid. Nail strips are a wonderful quick fix too! Ohora has ENDLESS adorable patterns and colors to choose from! This could easily be said for toenails too, especially if you are planning on wearing shoes with open toes or going barefoot in your images.
- Makeup – ok, let’s talk details because everyone is different when it comes to application expertise and comfortability with products. If you feel comfortable with your knowledge of your makeup products, do a few trial runs with the style and look you are going for. Here is a helpful tutorial on blending foundation that I love to share with my clients! If you do not know for sure or you don’t feel comfortable with makeup, look into getting a Makeup Artist to assist you. I work closely with several amazing MUAs and would be happy to refer them to you!
Another important factor is preparing your outfit selections. Be creative and go for a few looks, everything from casual, athletic wear or team uniforms to formal outfits! Oh, and don’t forget to accessorize… hats, scarfs, jewelry, sunglasses, and other fun eyewear, etc. are a great way to showcase your unique personality! Not to mention it adds fun texture and vibes to your images. Once you have finalized your outfit selections, make sure they are pressed, organized together, and placed on hangers for easy transport.
Now that we’ve covered the prep work, there are some essentials that you can bring
for the day of your session – trust me, you’ll thank me for making this list because they are absolute must haves for the day!
- Sunscreen or an umbrella, if you tend to sunburn easily. A small, portable fan is always nice to have around on really hot days.
- Bug spray – while I tend to be quick in field settings, bug spray does help from keeping the itchy, creepy crawlers at bay!
- Comfortable footwear - speaking of fields, you’ll want appropriate covering for your feet walking through the tall grass. Also, if you are planning on bringing fancy shoes like heels or unbroken in boots or dress shoes, bring flip flops or tennis shoes to get from location to location.
- Hair brush or comb
- Makeup bag for touch-up applications along the way – even just mascara and lip gloss go a long way!
- Oil blotting papers – even if you are not normally oily, trust me – you’ll want these magic little babies. We actually bring them along for all our clients, but if you are interested in having them for your everyday life, Palladio’s rice paper facial tissues are wonderful!
Ok, last but not least – selecting the time of day for your session. Sunrise starting between 6:00 and 7:00 am and sunset starting between 4:30 and 5:00 pm are optimal times for weather and lighting. With the lighting equipment I have, midday sessions can be done, but they tend to be super bright and the hottest part of the day. Interesting fact – even though girls take more prep time before their sessions, they often choose sunrise sessions because it tends to be the coolest part of the day. NO boys have ever chosen a sunrise session. Fellas, let’s shake things up and get together first thing in the morning. Trust me, it will be great!
So there you have it, Seniors. Everything you need to know to get this party started. Still have questions? No problem. Feel free to reach out to me and let’s get down to planning that tailor made session just for you! Click here to start booking your senior session: https://www.sarahireland.photography/kansas-city-senior-portraits
